Author David Sirota visits RIT

You may remember him from the Al Franken show as “My Sirota” after a similar-sounding 70's popular song, or as “the wonk from way out west.” Author and political commentator David Sirota was in Rochester on October 13 to promote his new book The Uprising.

There have been uprisings in the past. Those against the robber barons in the 1890's, the union movement of the 1930's, the civil rights movement of the 1960's and the “Reagan revolution” of the 1980's.

Sirota compares the 80's as the closest to our current times. Similar economic trauma conditions existed then as now. The country was becoming de-industrialized, labor unions were being persecuted (recall the air traffic controllers), strike-breaking was politically sanctioned, an “energy crisis” was driving up fuel prices and there was “stagflation” characterized by rising prices and declining pay. There were foreign policy failures, especially in the middle east. The Iran hostage situation was the direct result of our overthrow of that country's democratic government in 1953 and subsequent support of a US-backed dictator. But an often forgotten fact is that both uprisings occurred in reaction to corruption. In the 1970's it was Watergate and abuses of power by Nixon. Today Jack Abramoff and related scandals have led to overt gouging and corruption. In both cases the public was dissatisfied with the direction of both the country and Congress. Congressional approval was in the teens, as it is today. The so-called bailout just passed by Congress amounts to 5% of the entire US economy.

The Reagan revolution didn't lead to anything good. Tax cuts for the rich and increased militarism led to record deficits. Deregulation concentrated power in the hands of a corrupt few. Civil rights were weakened. Racism and scapegoating became acceptable.

Where will the next uprising lead? Sirota outlines two possible directions. Should it lead in a rightward direction as in 1980 we can expect more fear mongering, more foreign wars, hyper- nationalism, racism and further erosion of civil rights. However should it lead in a left direction we should expect new foreign and industrial policies, economic investment in infrastructure, health care, trade reform and a resurgence of organized labor.

What can we do to see that the next uprising moves the country away from the cliff? The answer is a lot. We need to champion structural reform, restore confidence in both government and business. States can and need to circumvent DC when appropriate, such as higher minimum wages or stricter environmental protections. The New York State legislature oversees one of the largest economies in the world.

Media reform is important. The current media culture idolizes class war and ridicules economic problems. Activism and direct action is important as is unionization. Marches and protests get attention but are just the beginning. We need to organize around issues such as Economic Justice, Ending War or fixing Health Care, not just support a party or candidate. We in the Rochester antiwar and economic justice movements are well ahead of the curve here. We need to reward both Democrats and Republicans who are supportive. People have to feel that getting involved is a matter of life and death. Remind yourself: “If this country goes off the cliff and I didn't do anything to stop it, it's my fault.”